He explained to The Sun that he almost quit acting a few years ago, until he found "overnight success" after 27 years of work.

"Two and a half years ago I was at my lowest ebb. My best friend had just died, I wasn't working, I was completely skint and very close to giving up.

"But then I got the call and now things have changed 100%. It's completely turned round. Homeland picked me up out of the gutter and I'm so very grateful for it."

Speaking about his departure from Homeland, he said: "I wouldn't say I'm glad to be out of the show, but I think I probably left at the right time.

"I left everybody wanting a bit more of me! It's been extraordinary - the best reaction to anything I've ever done in my life.

"And it really brought me to the attention of a wider audience."

Harewood added that he finds it amusing that so many Brits believe he is American, saying: "It's extraordinary. I've been acting for 27 years! The amount of people who stopped me and said, 'I had no idea you were British!'"